214 EXTINCT ANIMALS 



animals, were living when the first human inhabitants of the 

 island appeared upon the scene ; and doubtless this was also 

 the reason of the disappearance of both birds and beasts, as 

 they were hunted and used for food. 



1 Since the French occupation this bath-house has been 

 removed, and the mass of lime accretion has been broken up 

 for use. 



2 The following appeared in Punch, 22nd July 1893 : 



" Good Egg-sample ! One egg was sold the other day for 

 160, 18s., vide Times of Wednesday last. The egg was a per- 

 fect specimen of that rara avis in terris, the gigantic JEpyornis 

 maximus of Madagascar. What did Mr Stevens do with it ? 

 Did he have it made into several omelettes for a breakfast party 

 of a dozen ? Of course it was a perfectly fresh egg, and the 

 only thing at all high about it was the price." 



